Shabazz Napier has happy homecoming working out for Celtics

A native of Boston who led the University of Connecticut to the NCAA men's basketball championship this year, Napier is one of six players to audition for the Celtics on Monday morning.

Jim Fenton The Enterprise @JFenton_ent

WALTHAM – The last time he was at the Celtics training facility, Shabazz Napier was just a young, aspiring basketball player.

A native of Boston who lived in Roxbury, Napier attended the Antoine Walker camp one summer in the early 2000s.

More than a decade later, Napier made a return trip to the building where the Celtics practice on Monday, only this time it was for a job audition during a pre-draft workout session.

After leading the University of Connecticut on a surprising run to the NCAA men’s basketball championship this season, Napier is likely going to be chosen in the second half of the first round when the NBA Draft takes place a week from Thursday.

The Celtics, who are picking in the No. 6 and No. 17 spots, have some interest in the point guard from Charlestown High School with their second choice.

“It is crazy actually working out for them,’’ said Napier after taking part in a workout with five other players. “The last time I think I remember being here was when I was younger at the Antoine Walker camp. I was really, really young then.

“To come back here and actually work out for the Celtics is definitely extraordinary.’’

Napier, who averaged 18 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists as a UConn senior, has worked out for five other teams this month, but nothing could match a trip back home.

He went to the Celtics training facility on Sunday night to do some shooting and found himself soaking in the atmosphere.

“It was definitely cool walking in today with so much tradition here that I’ve kind of grew up in,’’ said Napier. “I came in last night to shoot a little bit and, for about a good five or 10 minutes, I looked around at the banners.

“It was a warm feeling. Growing up when you’re a Boston fan, you get those chills every time you watch the game. It took me about five or 10 minutes to realize I was here.’’

Napier, who is listed at 6-foot-1, is undersized by NBA standards, but a lack of height didn’t hold him back at UConn where he was on national title teams in 2011 and 2014, beating current Celtics coach Brad Stevens and Butler University for the first championship.

“At the end of the day, you want to win,’’ said Napier. “That’s just how it goes. It doesn’t matter if someone is seven feet or five feet. If he knows how to win, he knows how to win.

“That’s kind of what I bring. I’ve been through a lot. I didn’t win a lot, but I won enough. I cannot worry about (size). God made me the way I am for a reason and I accepted it. I don’t have the 40-inch vertical, I don’t have the crazy wingspan. I just have a better heart that a lot of guys with those attributes don’t have.

“You put me in front of anybody, I’m going to compete. That’s the biggest thing I’ve gotten since I was younger. I was always the littlest guy, so I always competed.’’

Stevens has been impressed by what he has seen Napier accomplish the past four seasons at UConn.

“I’ve always been a big fan of his,’’ said Stevens. “Obviously, a big-time player who no matter what, when the lights are the brightest, he’s at his best. He’s always been tough as nails. He makes big shots when it matters.’’

Getting drafted by the Celtics would be a dream come true for Napier, bringing him home to start a professional basketball career and playing in front of a fan base that he is part of.

“We were watching one of the films in (the locker room area) that they put up and one of the guys said, ‘Why were folks crying when Paul Pierce injured himself in the playoffs (against the Lakers in 2008) and they took him off the court?’’’ said Napier. “I said, ‘Man, that’s Boston. You’ll never understand it unless you play for Boston or live in Boston. That’s just how we are. We love our teams. There’s no bandwagon fans in Boston.’

“He was like, ‘Man, Boston’s crazy.’ I said, ‘That’s who we are. There are crazy fans who want nothing but the best for our team.’ It’s just crazy to be here.’’

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.